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Mathias Kiwanuka Embracing Dual Role On Giants' Defense

Excerpt: "When he was selected in the first round of the 2006 draft, Mathias Kiwanukaprobably never imagined that he would ever become one of those “slash” type of players.

Yet that’s the position he finds himself in today as the versatile Kiwanuka lines up as both the strong side linebacker and as a defensive end, the latter of which he played exclusively in last week’s dominating performance over the Packers.

“Yeah, I definitely love being down there. That’s a big part of the reason why even when I was playing linebacker, I would still go down on most third-downs and be able to rush. That’s what I do naturally.”

Kiwanuka, who last year signed a contract extension, could have tested the free agency market if he wanted to, searching for a team that would have used him extensively as a defensive end. But he said he met with the Giants brass who sold him ion the idea of continuing to put his versatility to good use before he agreed to his contract extension.

“I had a meeting with the GM (Jerry Reese) and (head coach Tom) Coughlin, and this is what I signed up for,” he said. “There’s going to be times when I’m used at linebacker and there will be times when they need me as a defensive lineman. I’m good as long as I feel prepared going into that game, I’ll play whatever.” Read more...

“Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.” MB Rule # 1

"They come to the line of scrimmage and the first thing they do is start looking for me....I know, and they know. When they’d find me they’d start screaming: 56 left ! 56 left!....So there’s this thing I did. After the play was over I’d come up behind them and whisper: don’t worry where I am. I’ll tell you when I get there."
- Lawrence Taylor

He had an immediate impact on the defensive line....granted the Packer line has issues, but the Giants pass rush definitely got a shot in the arm with Kiwi up front.

"They come to the line of scrimmage and the first thing they do is start looking for me....I know, and they know. When they’d find me they’d start screaming: 56 left ! 56 left!....So there’s this thing I did. After the play was over I’d come up behind them and whisper: don’t worry where I am. I’ll tell you when I get there."
- Lawrence Taylor

it is his natural role...but I get the whole "most talented" guys on the Field at the same time thing.

Hence: the 3 Safety look, which also looked excellent for the better part of the GB game

Agreed.....having Stevie Brown on the team has really helped.

"They come to the line of scrimmage and the first thing they do is start looking for me....I know, and they know. When they’d find me they’d start screaming: 56 left ! 56 left!....So there’s this thing I did. After the play was over I’d come up behind them and whisper: don’t worry where I am. I’ll tell you when I get there."
- Lawrence Taylor

Here'show the Giants defense plays great. Rolle at nickel, Kiwi on line and Chase = Prince and Webby both having safety help and the middle jammed up. That's the way the Giants need to attack the games. Anything else would be a crime.

Oh yea, add in a closer to 100% Nicks and offense rocks as well. Cruz needs to man up a catch the ball and stop looking for defenders